Police and Community briefs for Jan. 22, 2011

Published: Friday, January 21, 2011 at 11:21 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, January 21, 2011 at 11:21 p.m.

POLICE BEAT

Man attacks female motorist

A 20-year-old woman said she was driven off the road and punched twice by an unknown man Thursday.

The woman told sheriff's officials she was driving north on Baseline Road with two children in the car just after 11:30 a.m. when a man driving a gray Toyota pickup began tailgating. She said she did not speed up and the truck pulled next to her and swerved in her direction, causing her to drive off the road.

The woman said the man slowed and waited for her to get back on the road and continued following close behind. A short time later, he pulled up and turned into her path, stopping her. The man got out, walked to the woman's car and punched her twice in the back of the head through the open drivers' window, reports state.

Witnesses told investigators they saw the incident and got the license plate of the Toyota. The man listed as the registered owner told officials he owned a similar vehicle, with the same license plate, but was working in Levy County. Investigators plan to show the woman a photo lineup to determine if it was the same man who assaulted her.

No arrests were made.

Spree of A/C unit thefts continues

Four more thefts of air-conditioning units were reported Thursday, including three taken from a business in Ocala and one from a home in Silver Springs Shores.

On Thursday, three A/C units at Bailey Industries, 720 SW 17th St., were removed from concrete slabs, leaving behind only cut wires, according to the Ocala Police Department. Estimates put the value at between $5,000 and $10,000.

Later Thursday, a real-estate agent contacted the Sheriff's Office and reported an outside A/C unit and interior air handler were taken from an unoccupied home in the 200 block of Oak Lane Track. The home was shown Tuesday, and nothing was missing then. The item's estimated value is $4,000.

At least 14 units have been vandalized or stolen in less than a week in Ocala and Marion County. Investigators believe the units are being targeted for the copper coils, which are sold for scrap.

Woman accused of neglecting her son

A 32-year-old woman was arrested Thursday on child neglect charges after police say she left her 2-year-old son alone in a hotel room and the child was found crying in the parking lot.

Kitreana V. Grant was staying at the Days Inn at 3620 W. Silver Springs Blvd., according to the Ocala Police Department. Police were called at 9:30 p.m. after the child was found. When police arrived, the boy was with the hotel manager, who said they tried to contact Grant, but there was no one in the room.

Officers contacted Grant just before 10 p.m. She was charged with one count of child neglect and booked into the Marion County Jail. The child was turned over to the Department of Children and Family Services.

Man charged after store robbery

A 31-year-old man was arrested Thursday after police say he tried to take clothing from a store and punched an employee.

Michael D. Connor was at Belk at 3100 SW College Road about 6:30 p.m. with another man when security officials say the two placed merchandise in a black garbage bag. When confronted, the men tried to run.

Connor is also accused of throwing punches at the store employee who tackled him. The second man pulled the employee off Connor, and the two ran.

Connor was caught a short time later. The second man escaped.

Connor was charged with strong arm robbery and booked into the Marion County Jail. The second man was still on the loose Friday.

COMMUNITY

CF hosting senior recareering fair

Pathways Life Services at the College of Central Florida invites seniors to a free Recareering Seminar and Job Club from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the CF Hampton Center, 1501 W. Silver Springs Blvd.

The seminar will help seniors who are starting a new career, considering a change in career or who want to improve in a current career. The Job Club from noon to 1 p.m. is an open forum for seniors to discuss job search experiences with peers.

Reservations are required. For more information, call 873-5804.

Assistance to help pay bills available

The Central Florida Community Action Agency has funds to help people who cannot pay electricity bills.

To qualify for assistance, total household income must be within 150 percent of federal poverty levels.

Calls for assistance are accepted starting at 8 a.m. Mondays. Appointments are given on first-come, first-serve basis. Walk-ins are not accepted. Some evening and weekend appointment are available.

To schedule an appointment, call 732-3008.

Art needed for Belleview exhibit

BELLEVIEW — The art club of Belleview and city of Belleview are organizing an international art exhibition, "Colorful World Around Us," for ages 6 to 18.

Artwork can be dropped off March 19-21 and March 24 at Belleview Chamber of Commerce, 5301 SE Abshier Blvd.

Winners will be announced April 10.

For more information, e-mail artclubelleview@gmail.com.

Information on traffic slowdowns

Ongoing construction:

State Road 35 (Baseline Road) — State Road 40 to South of State Road 464.

US 301 — County Road 42 to Sumter County Line

State Road 326 — East and West of Highway 441

Intermittent road construction:

www.marioncountyfl.org/Transportation/Transportation_default.aspx

Register for MS Walk at Villages

LADY LAKE — The Mid-Florida Walk for MS will begin at 8 a.m. on March 26 at The Villages Polo Fields, 11633 Buena Vista Fields Blvd.

There is a $20 minimum donation to walk.

Registration is required. For more information, call 407-478-8882 or visit walkflc.nationalmssociety.org.

<p class="bold allcaps">POLICE BEAT</p>
<p><b>Man attacks female motorist</b></p><p>A 20-year-old woman said she was driven off the road and punched twice by an unknown man Thursday.</p><p>The woman told sheriff's officials she was driving north on Baseline Road with two children in the car just after 11:30 a.m. when a man driving a gray Toyota pickup began tailgating. She said she did not speed up and the truck pulled next to her and swerved in her direction, causing her to drive off the road.</p><p>The woman said the man slowed and waited for her to get back on the road and continued following close behind. A short time later, he pulled up and turned into her path, stopping her. The man got out, walked to the woman's car and punched her twice in the back of the head through the open drivers' window, reports state.</p><p>Witnesses told investigators they saw the incident and got the license plate of the Toyota. The man listed as the registered owner told officials he owned a similar vehicle, with the same license plate, but was working in Levy County. Investigators plan to show the woman a photo lineup to determine if it was the same man who assaulted her.</p><p>No arrests were made.</p><p> </p><p><b>Spree of A/C unit thefts continues</b></p><p>Four more thefts of air-conditioning units were reported Thursday, including three taken from a business in Ocala and one from a home in Silver Springs Shores.</p><p>On Thursday, three A/C units at Bailey Industries, 720 SW 17th St., were removed from concrete slabs, leaving behind only cut wires, according to the Ocala Police Department. Estimates put the value at between $5,000 and $10,000.</p><p>Later Thursday, a real-estate agent contacted the Sheriff's Office and reported an outside A/C unit and interior air handler were taken from an unoccupied home in the 200 block of Oak Lane Track. The home was shown Tuesday, and nothing was missing then. The item's estimated value is $4,000.</p><p>At least 14 units have been vandalized or stolen in less than a week in Ocala and Marion County. Investigators believe the units are being targeted for the copper coils, which are sold for scrap.</p><p> </p><p><b>Woman accused of neglecting her son</b></p><p>A 32-year-old woman was arrested Thursday on child neglect charges after police say she left her 2-year-old son alone in a hotel room and the child was found crying in the parking lot.</p><p>Kitreana V. Grant was staying at the Days Inn at 3620 W. Silver Springs Blvd., according to the Ocala Police Department. Police were called at 9:30 p.m. after the child was found. When police arrived, the boy was with the hotel manager, who said they tried to contact Grant, but there was no one in the room.</p><p>Officers contacted Grant just before 10 p.m. She was charged with one count of child neglect and booked into the Marion County Jail. The child was turned over to the Department of Children and Family Services.</p><p> </p><p><b>Man charged after store robbery</b></p><p>A 31-year-old man was arrested Thursday after police say he tried to take clothing from a store and punched an employee.</p><p>Michael D. Connor was at Belk at 3100 SW College Road about 6:30 p.m. with another man when security officials say the two placed merchandise in a black garbage bag. When confronted, the men tried to run.</p><p>Connor is also accused of throwing punches at the store employee who tackled him. The second man pulled the employee off Connor, and the two ran.</p><p>Connor was caught a short time later. The second man escaped.</p><p>Connor was charged with strong arm robbery and booked into the Marion County Jail. The second man was still on the loose Friday.</p><h3>COMMUNITY</h3>
<p><b>CF hosting senior recareering fair</b></p><p>Pathways Life Services at the College of Central Florida invites seniors to a free Recareering Seminar and Job Club from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the CF Hampton Center, 1501 W. Silver Springs Blvd.</p><p>The seminar will help seniors who are starting a new career, considering a change in career or who want to improve in a current career. The Job Club from noon to 1 p.m. is an open forum for seniors to discuss job search experiences with peers.</p><p>Reservations are required. For more information, call 873-5804.</p><p><b>Assistance to help pay bills available</b></p><p>The Central Florida Community Action Agency has funds to help people who cannot pay electricity bills.</p><p>To qualify for assistance, total household income must be within 150 percent of federal poverty levels.</p><p>Calls for assistance are accepted starting at 8 a.m. Mondays. Appointments are given on first-come, first-serve basis. Walk-ins are not accepted. Some evening and weekend appointment are available.</p><p>To schedule an appointment, call 732-3008.</p><p><b>Art needed for Belleview exhibit</b></p><p>BELLEVIEW — The art club of Belleview and city of Belleview are organizing an international art exhibition, "Colorful World Around Us," for ages 6 to 18.</p><p>Artwork can be dropped off March 19-21 and March 24 at Belleview Chamber of Commerce, 5301 SE Abshier Blvd.</p><p>Winners will be announced April 10.</p><p>For more information, e-mail artclubelleview@gmail.com.</p><p> </p><p><b>Information on traffic slowdowns</b></p><p>Ongoing construction:</p><p>State Road 35 (Baseline Road) — State Road 40 to South of State Road 464.</p><p>US 301 — County Road 42 to Sumter County Line</p><p>State Road 326 — East and West of Highway 441</p><p>Intermittent road construction:</p><p>www.marioncountyfl.org/Transportation/Transportation_default.aspx</p><p> </p><p><b>Register for MS Walk at Villages</b></p><p>LADY LAKE — The Mid-Florida Walk for MS will begin at 8 a.m. on March 26 at The Villages Polo Fields, 11633 Buena Vista Fields Blvd.</p><p>There is a $20 minimum donation to walk.</p><p>Registration is required. For more information, call 407-478-8882 or visit walkflc.nationalmssociety.org.</p>